Getting passed by these people is bad for my ego as a professional bicycling blogger, and it's bad for my reputation. My readers absolutely depend on my good name for their daily dose of bike news and commentary.

I'm clearly a better, stronger, and faster cyclist than all of these people. My jersey, socks, gloves, helmet, shades, shoes and bar tape all match, after all!

I ride a Specialized Roubaix, which is like the comfort bike of road bikes for old people.

Ken Conley, who is test riding the $6,700 Storck Absolutist 0.9 (15 lbs, SRAM Red, Zipp wheels, "stiff yet comfortable" which I suppose is another way of saying "laterally stiff yet vertically compliant"), writes "I shattered some PRs on the bike," clearly demonstrating that it is indeed about the bike.

If I'm passing you then it is bad news! BTW there are a lot of people out there that need new bikes (according to that standard). Except for the guy who was going 24 mph on Middlefield Road the other day riding a really old clunky Cannonade. I did everything in my power to stay on his wheel but I just didn't have any gas left in me and he finally dropped me after about a mile.

Good luck with the new request for a bike. I've learn to just make due with my Surly Cross Check and some lighter wheels.